Italian leather flower (Clematis viticella) is a climbing herbaceous perennial native to Europe. It has showy flowers and long blooming time, which makes it an excellent addition to flower gardens. There are many varieties available, with a variety of different flower shapes and colors.
I. Appearance and CharacteristicsÂ
Clematis viticella, the Italian leather flower, purple clematis, or virgin’s bower, is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, native to Europe. This deciduous climber was the first clematis imported into English gardens, where it was already being grown in 1569 by Hugh Morgan, apothecary to Elizabeth I. By 1597, when it was already being called “virgin’s bower”, there were two varieties in English gardens, a blue (actually a purple-blue) and a red.
Clematis plants carry a profusion of small, bell-shaped flowers from mid-summer to early autumn. Plants grow to a height of 10 to 12 feet (3 to 3.5 m) and spread to about 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 m).
The vine’s prolific bloom and easy-care nature make it a popular choice for vertical space usage in gardens. It looks great when climbing on trellises, pergolas, or other garden structures.
Plants thrive in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 9, and thus have an RHS hardiness rating of H6 (-20°C). This European native is not considered invasive in the USA.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Some varieties of italian leather flower prefer full sun, while others prefer partial shade. Although some varieties of italian leather flower will bloom better in a fully shaded area (for example Clematis ‘Nelly Moser’ and Clematis ‘Henryi’), they generally need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
Temperature
Italian leather flower has good cold resistance. Suitable growth temperatures are 21 to 25 ℃ during the daytime and 15 to 17 ℃ at night. It doesn’t thrive well in waterlogged soil or in drought conditions. Therefore, it is better if the soil is moist and well ventilated. Water regularly but avoid the accumulation of water.
Watering
Italian leather flower likes a moist environment without accumulated water. It is recommended that you place your finger into the soil to feel how moist it is. Water thoroughly if the soil is dry. If your italian leather flower is in a pot, water slowly and stop watering when excess water flows out of the drain hole at the bottom of the pot. Remember to pour out any excess water from flower pot’s saucer, or put a few pebbles in the saucer to ensure good drainage.
Italian leather flower grows rapidly during the spring, when it requires a large amount of water. Watering should be done according to the dryness of the area and the weather conditions. In rainy areas or during rainy weather, pay attention to promptly drain any accumulated water to prevent the roots of italian leather flower rotting.
Soil
Italian leather flower likes fertile, well-drained, neutral soils with a pH in the range of 6 to 7.5. Italian leather flower is not resistant to accumulated water or drought and can lose water easily. Generally, peat soil, pearl soil, vermiculite, and pine bark can be mixed and used as a suitable soil for planting. The mixed soil should be loose, aerated, permeable, moist, and nutritious.
If grown in a pot, organic fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer can be used as a base fertilizer. If italian leather flower is planted in the garden, it is advised to use organic fertilizer and bone meal as a base fertilizer, with garden soil, humus soil, and coarse-grained medium used to increase the drainage and ventilation capacity of the soil.
Fertilizing
The amount of fertilizer provided should be determined by the size of a italian leather flower. During the growth period and after flowering, nitrogen fertilizer should be provided. Between the time flower buds appear to when they bloom, phosphate fertilizer should be provided. Potassium fertilizer is indispensable and should be provided at all times. It is recommended that only a small amount of fertilizer, at a low concentration, be applied. You can fertilize it several times with fertilizer diluted with water.
During dormancy, the leaves of italian leather flower will wither. At this time, some organic fertilizer (bone meal or manure) can be added and dug into the soil at a shallow depth. It is also a good idea to cover the surface of the soil with compost to increase the nutrient level and prevent frost from freezing the roots.
Planting Instructions
Go to the store and buy seeds for your favorite flower color and flowering period. It is generally recommended to plant the seeds in nursery pots in the spring or fall. Once the seedlings have grown, they can be transplanted into flower pots or the garden. If italian leather flower is grown in a pot, it is best to use a ceramic flower pot (this helps keep the plant cool in the summer and warm in the winter). If italian leather flower is planted in the garden, choose the planting site carefully because it does not like to be transplanted multiple times.
Select a well-drained planting area and cultivated soil. Determine the depth of the planting hole based on the size of the seedling’s root system. Once the hole has been dug, it is recommended that some gravel be placed at the bottom of the pit to ensure good drainage. The drainage layer should be backfilled with mixed soil 5 cm thick.
Disperse the plant’s roots into a radial pattern and place it in the hole. Hold the upper part of the plant in your hand to control the planting depth. Add soil to a depth of 2/3 of the hole, then slowly lift the root into place to ensure it is fully in contact with the soil. The soil should then be compacted and the plant watered.
Additionally, since italian leather flower is a climbing plant, it is recommended that some climbing support is provided and that enough space is available for it to look attractive and ornamental. Italian leather flower can only attach itself to relatively thin supports, so the climbing support should not be too thick – thin string or wire is advised.
Pruning
Italian leather flower can be pruned before it flowers or between late winter and early spring. Before flowering, remove any withered or weak branches to avoid excessive nutrient consumption. For better nutrient concentration and more attractive flowers, it is also advised to selectively prune some branches, even if they are growing well. Try to avoid too much pruning in summer, because in hot weather having more leaves can promote evapotranspiration and maintain normal water circulation in italian leather flower.
In the late winter and early spring, heavy pruning of italian leather flower, especially for late-blooming varieties, can stimulate the growth of new branches, make italian leather flower grow better, and result in a better shape the following year. For example, prune it to one-third of its original height. For early-blooming varieties, it is not recommended to prune too much.
It is recommended that half of the branches are pruned, leaving only thick ones behind. After being pruned like this, italian leather flower will have a longer blooming season, and the number of flowers will increase year by year with the increasing number of branches. The above method can be applied to all varieties of italian leather flower, including those you are unsure about how to prune.
After pruning, Italian leather flower tends to end its dormancy period and start growing. If the weather is not suitable for the growth of new branches, it is recommended to wait before pruning.
Transplanting
The best time to transplant italian leather flower is during the early to mid-spring, prime time for its root establishment. Choose a location with well-draining soil and partial shade. Gently loosen the root ball before transplant for optimal growth. Happy gardening!
III. Uses and BenefitsÂ
Italian leather flower (Clematis viticella) is a hugely popular climbing shrub that rewards gardeners with showy flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds in summer and fall. The plant climbs well on walls, houses, fences, and trellises, decorating them with great color and interest. This plant is a great fit in city and courtyard gardens and is almost a requisite for cottage and traditional gardens. Italian leather flower partners well with many species including roses, grasses, and vegetables that need shade.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
Italian leather flower has very beautiful flowers, which can be cut to use as part of a bouquet, or to decorate dining tables or rooms. Choose flowers at different stages of openness according to your flower arrangement requirements. It is recommended to choose half-open or nearly open flowers, which look lovely and have a long vase life. On the day of harvesting, use a sharp knife to obliquely cut the end of the stem and then promptly insert it into clean water in a vase. To extend its vase life, keep it out of direct sunlight, as this will make the flower wither faster.
If you want to harvest seeds of Italian leather flower for reproduction, ensure that the seeds are already mature. Generally, seeds mature from late summer to midwinter, and it is recommended they are collected before the fruit becomes dark brown. If seeds are over-mature, they will enter dormancy, which will lead to late germination once they are planted.
